Authorities say a solo pilot crash landed his small plane in the eastern Sierra and had to be rescued.A helicopter crew spotted the 67-year-old pilot Tuesday walking near his downed plane south of Mount Whitney. The pilot was airlifted to safety with minor injuries.Sequoia National Park officials tell the Fresno Bee the plane's emergency transmitter sounded late Monday, leading authorities to launch an air search. The pilot's wife also reported him missing.He had taken off in the 1996 Piper PA28 Cherokee from a San Jose airport and was headed for Death Valley.The pilot managed to land, but his plane was damaged.The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. —

Authorities say a solo pilot crash landed his small plane in the eastern Sierra and had to be rescued.

A helicopter crew spotted the 67-year-old pilot Tuesday walking near his downed plane south of Mount Whitney. The pilot was airlifted to safety with minor injuries.

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Sequoia National Park officials tell the Fresno Bee the plane's emergency transmitter sounded late Monday, leading authorities to launch an air search. The pilot's wife also reported him missing.

He had taken off in the 1996 Piper PA28 Cherokee from a San Jose airport and was headed for Death Valley.

The pilot managed to land, but his plane was damaged.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.